Who was Nebuchadnezzar II? Did he accept Islam and become Muslim? Why was he held responsible for the destruction of the Jerusalem Mosque? Why would he want to do that?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Your question is about historical research, the knowledge of which does not lead to any Islamic benefit; it is more appropriate for a Muslim to ask and preoccupy himself by what benefits him in his religion.

We do not know of anything that is stated about Nebuchadnezzar in the Quran or the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet .

In any case: It is known to historians that Nebuchadnezzar was a king and that he took control of Jerusalem and the children of Israel and severely persecuted them. The scholars of Tafseer (interpretation of the Quran) cite Israeli reports that Nebuchadnezzar’s punishment of the children of Israel is what is meant by the verse in which Allaah says (what means): {So when the [time of] promise came for the first of them, We sent against you servants of Ours - those of great military might, and they probed [even] into the homes, and it was a promise fulfilled.} [Quran 17:5]

Ibn Abi Shaybah and at-Tabari reported from Mujaahid that he said, “There were only four people who took control of the whole earth; two Muslims and two non-Muslims: the Muslims were: Prophet Sulaymaan ibn Daawod (Solomon son of David) and Thul-Qarnayn, and the non-Muslims were Nebuchadnezzar and the king who argued with Ibraaheem (Abraham) about his Lord.”

The report states that Nebuchadnezzar died as a non-Muslim and did not embrace Islam.

As for the question about the reason for Nebuchadnezzar’s desire to demolish the mosque of Al-Aqsa, then it goes without saying that this was due to his disbelief, injustice, tyranny, and oppression.

For further benefit, please refer to fataawa 119706 and 309082 .

Allaah knows best.